Most people go with down for bags Dan, its just a risk in super wet conditions because down loses its loft when wet rendering it essentially useless. If you are in temps around freezing and end up with a soaked down bag, your trip could go real bad real quick. This is why many guys in Alaska and the northwest use synthetic because it insulates even when wet. Synthetic is slightly heavier and much more bulky to compress than down. As for size vs weight, they go hand in hand for sleeping bags. Temp ratings equal, the lighter the bag the smaller it packs. Down certainly will pack much smaller than synthetic bags though. My tarp, bivy, down quilt, and pad combined back down the size of my previous 20* synthetic bag. LOL
I'm obsessed with this type of hunting and gear in general. This summer out in Colorado every weekend I got to test out my setup pretty thoroughly. Nothing like strapping on your pack, disappearing for 2-10 days, and hunt/hike/fish/whatever. It can become addicting though, as I constantly need to remind myself of what I need and don't need. It was expensive to get a basis of gear built, but now I will only need to tweak one or two items a year and I'm all set. Just have to resist the inner gear junkie telling you the newest, lightest option is soooo much better. lol
Matt, We'll have to talk about the Ontario trip sometime. I may be down that way in late January to help Dustin work a sport show for his outfitting business.
Good stuff Trevor. I really like the sounds of their packs, but of all the gear on my list, it's probably last to buy high quality of. Only because I won't be able to use it a ton until my kids get a little bit older and I can get away a bit more again. For the trip(s) I'm doing now, pad, shelter and sleeping bag are the most important. Plus, they are things I would use for a long time, so I don't mind spending the money on it. I like the looks of the tarps, but I think with 2-4 guys I would rather have the tipi, especially in early to mid November in Ontario. I really like the idea of having a small packable wood stove that one guy could carry in. It would make evenings much nicer and drying clothes, if need be, much easier. I can't believe how little the tipis and stoves weigh. Like you Trevor, I'm starting to obsess with this after my trip this fall. I really want to do some other trips in the future and this gear would get used a lot. Depending on timing, I still want to do the Kodiak Sitka hunt in the next 5 years, problem is it may conflict with harvest time for me. I also really want to do a drop camp in Alaska for caribou as well.
Im not much help but i can tell you i have a loyal customer/friend that is big into backcountry hunts....you name it theres a good chance hes been there and shot it....he has stuff from all around the world hanging......he raves about that wood stove (Im not sure if its that identical one but im sure its similar)...he said it makes life so easy and he has mentioned hes gone through thousands of dollars worth of gear over the years and always comes back to kifaru stuff...if you have any specific questions once you narrow your research I could certainly give him a shout for you....we are due for a beer anyway Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I337 using Tapatalk 2
Just trying to help you stay warm Dan. RVs For Sale On RV Trader- New and Used Fleetwood,Airstream,Winnebago,Keystone,Forest River,Newmar RVs and More-RVTrader.com
You should see the stuff they drag camping trailers through out here. Lot of guys flip the axles so they get more ground clearance. I've been scraping down barely passable trails and then get into an open spot and there will be a 30' trailer parked on the side of the mountain. I'm just glad I haven't been trying to go one way on the skinny trail while that other guy is going the other.... somebody is going to need to do a lot of white knuckle backing up. And while I am continuing to contribute nothing useful to your thread..... I'm liking this camp. :D [video=youtube_share;0nqKfUufdkQ]http://youtu.be/0nqKfUufdkQ[/video] ..but we'll probably just get a cheap hardside camper. They're everywhere out here.
Matt, do you know if the guys that were camping by you were using the liners in their Kifaru Tipis? I've also come across another company that makes tipis called Titanium Goat. They are a little bit lighter than the Kifaru of the same size and also quite a bit cheaper. I don't know if they have the same quality, but from some research it looks like they may. Anyone heard of them? Link
Some of the guys were using liners but mostly just the guys with the bigger ones. I haven't seen a smaller tipi with a liner. The big 24 man Patrick had one, but with 20+ guys in there drinking beer and telling lies with the fires ripping I'm sure there was a ton of moisture. The smaller ones I didn't see any condensation in but I also haven't spent lots of time in the smaller ones. In speaking with Patrick the owner of Kifaru he says the material is what's different with his vs. other tipis. Not sure if that's true or not, but that's what he claims and he says whatever it is they use at Kifaru wears much better and is more durable. Edit - Also, I've never been in one of these tipis when it was warmer than about 20 degrees outside, not sure if higher temp usage would warrant the need for a liner or not.
The more people you stuff into a tipi, the more the need for a liner arises. Condensation build up comes from sweat but even more so your exhalations as you sleep. No way to avoid it. For one guy in a tipi, the build up isn't noticable. For three guys in a 6-8 man tipi on an already semi humid hunt...it will begin dripping on you by morning most nights. I'd definitely opt for the liner. You can always not put it in (just clips into the inside of the tipi as a drip guard for condensation essentially) but if you don't buy it you will find yourself in need of it guaranteed. Running a stove will GREATLY help burn out the moisture and condensation though, if you run it before bed and as soon as you wake up daily. Talk of this has me already anxious to pull the trigger on one if I only had the funds ready. My main dilemma is choosing between the Sawtooth or a 6 man tipi to better fit my needs. Ideally I'd get a Sawtooth AND an 8 man tipi to cover all needs but that's a pipe dream for now.
I was reading on another forum where a guy called it Silnylon. TiGoat is using Silnylon in their tipis, so I don't know if there is a difference or not. Obviously I would rather have the higher quality shelter, but if they are essentially the same the $1174 vs $850 is a huge price difference. The liner for the Kifaru is $359 and $275 for the TiGoat. Add it all together and the price difference becomes quite a bit. I'm referring to the 8 man from both companies.
I am planning on trips of 3 guys, max 4. I'm sure moisture could be a problem, especially on the long nights of nearly 14 hours of darkness in early November. I think I would definitely get a stove, as it would be very easy to carry. Plus, like you said, it would dry the place up and make drying clothes easier as well. I'd most likely get the liner too. I'm leaning towards the 8 man tipi. The sawtooth is really nice, but just too small for what I want to use it for. Again, the debate is Kifaru or TiGoat. I've got some time to research and decide though, as I won't be getting anything until late next summer.
I can't speak to the quality of other companies...but I can vouch for Kifaru quality and customer service. I bet Rob has had his 8 man tipi for 10-15 years now and used it on countless Alaska excursions and it is still as good as new practically. My pack had some issues with a buckle, and they mailed out 3 each of two different kinds of buckles as replacements for me to try the next day. They stand behind the quality of their products (as they should for the prices they fetch haha). My TiGoat bivy is of excellent quality though so nothing leads me to believe that their tipis would be anything less than awesome either.
Thanks Matt. Now that you posted that, I remember reading it on their site. The dude who called it Silnylon, apparently, didn't know what it was called. One other reason I would probably go with the Kifaru is because they've been in business longer and have more experience.
Matt, what were the guys sleeping on in the snow? This may sound like a dumb question, but when snow camping, how do you keep your pad dry?
Trevor, what pouches did you get with your pack? Got a picture of it? I'm liking the looks of the Highland 7200.
